Residents’ fury over
“recipe for disaster”
by David Skentelbery
FURIOUS residents have reacted with anger to a decision by planners to approve a multi million ? scheme for 569 new homes on the site the former Rylands wire works at Warrington.
They say the proposals are “a recipe for disaster” which will lead to gridlock on Battersby Lane and other local roads.
The borough council’s development control committee approved the scheme after hearing that developers Countryside Properties had offered an extra ?1.2 million to a package of benefits they were prepared to provide – bringing its total value to ?6.5 million.
Highways improvements, education, sport and recreation facilities and 55 “affordable” homes will be provided with the money.
The money will pay for highways improvements, education, sport and recreation and 55 “affordable homes” – as well as employment opportunities for up to 200 people.
Two weeks previously the committee deferred consideration of the scheme because members were not happy with the ?5.1 million package of benefits being offered at that time. Officers were then recommending refusal.
But after the extra ?1.2 million was offered, officers did a U-turn and recommended approval on the grounds the development would result in an advantage to the local community if planning permission were granted.
Only a small number of residents had lodged objections to the scheme. But one, Paul Slydell, said this was because most people thought their views would not be considered.
He said: “They were right. It seems that only money mattered – the opinions of residents were ignored. I objected – but I felt as though my objections were not listened to.
“My biggest concern is that the roads won’t be able to cope with the extra traffic. There will be more than 500 homes and 1,500 parking spaces. Battersby Lane is already struggling to cope – the junction with Marsh House Lane is the scene of numerous accidents.
“No more than 100 houses should have been approved on this site and the rest could have been used for community facilities such as a theatre, museum or leisure complex.”
Other objections were lodged on the grounds that four, five and six storey properties would overshadow nearby homes and rob existing residents of privacy.
But development control chairman Coun Terry Whelan said: “We felt on balance the improved offer from the developers was a benefit to the community.”
Prince was not brassed off!
by Mark Hemmings
CAST members of Warrington-based Centenary Theatre Company were anything but ?brassed off? when Prince Edward visited the set of their latest play Brassed Off which was staged this week at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn.
Greeted by company secretary, Beryl Rigby from Appleton, the Earl of Wessex was given a guided tour of the set and spent time chatting to Mike Hall from Great Sankey and Jane and Bethany Rigby from Grappenhall about the production.
The Prince, known for his love of the arts was very interested in viewing the scenery used to stage this play, which was also made into a smash hit movie starring Warrington born actor, Pete Postlethwaite.
“I told the Prince I went to school with Pete Postlethwaite, and that his cousin, John Postlethwaite actually works for Centenary today,” explained Mike Hall – who coincidentally is playing the role of band leader, Danny Ormondroyd, the part portrayed by Pete in the film!
After his trip backstage Prince Edward gave the entire cast his best wishes for a successful and enjoyable production week.
The show, which ended its run last night (Thursday) played to near capacity audiences and was the company?s biggest success since ?The Sound of Music? in 1994.
Man charged after
Samurai sword attack
by staff reporter
A 21-year-old Warrington man has been charged in connection with an incident in which a man was attacked with a Samurai sword.
Ben Caldwell, of Warrington, has appeared before the town?s magistrates.
The victim, a 35-year-old man, is still in Warrington Hospital with serious injuries. But his condition has improved and is now said to be ?stable.?
The attack took placed in Alder Lane, Warrington and police are still anxious to anyone who witnessed it.
Six men were originally arrested but five ? aged 18 to 29 ? have now been released on police bail without charge.
Students show their
flair in the cafeteria
by staff reporter
ART and Design students from Warrington?s Priestley College have been demonstrating their flair as part of a project for the college’s Food Court area.
Students on the First Diploma pathway were set the task of having to create new designs for the menu boards in JP’s cafeteria as part of a competition.
The Food Court area has only recently been refurbished offering not only greater facilities but also a broader range of menu selections for the students.
Following all the entries it was decided that Andrew Murray had come up with the best and most eye catching menu board.
As well as studying for his art diploma first year student Andrew is also enrolled on the Foundation English programme and GCSE Science.
His eye catching winning entry was a colourful and bright piece of artwork featuring a range of fruits which linked well with the college’s policy on promoting healthy eating.
Catering manager Sue Flynn said: “I thank all the students for their hard work in providing pieces of artwork for the competition.
“I was really taken by Andrew’s piece which signified all that we try to promote in the Food Court namely a bright and vibrant atmosphere coupled with an extensive offering of healthy food sources on the menu.”
Women driver’s terror
ride with kidnapper
by David Skentelbery
A TERRIFIED woman driver was forced at knifepoint to drive an unknown man from Warrington to Blackburn.
Police in two counties are now hunting the Asian man who kidnapped the 32-year-old woman as she drove her black Fiat Ibiza car along Twenty Acre Road at Old Hall, Warrington.
She was unhurt during her ordeal but was left badly shocked.
The drama started when the woman stopped at the junction of Twenty Acre Road with Cromwell Avenue.
A man, completely unknown to her, leapt into her car, threatened her with a knife and forced her to drive into Cromwell Avenue, along the A49. onto the M62 and then onto the M6 northbound carriageway.
In Lancashire, she was forced to take the M65 towards the Blackburn with Darwen Service Station.
Shortly before the service station the man made her stop, left the car and ran off.
The knifeman is described as being Asian, in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5ft 10 inches tall, of medium build.
He was clean shaven but had side burns and razor shaves through his eyebrows. He spoke with a Lancashire accent.
Police are anxious to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any part of the incident. Witnesses are asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 4580000 or Lancashire Police on 01254 51212.
Wolves get backing
– from a bear
by Mark Hemmings
WHEN do Polar Bears and Wolves come together? At the Halliwell Jones Stadium, as the Warrington Wolves announce a new club sponsor, Polar Ford.
The company is backing the Wolves by giving the club’s kit man, Bob Moore his very own Transit Van. It will be used to take kit to away matches and to support the club’s local community work, by transporting equipment to local schools and festivals.
Gary Greenaway, regional director for Polar Ford said: “We are delighted to support Warrington Wolves and were attracted by the team’s thriving community programme including its work with local schools”.
The Warrington Wolves Community programme has been nationally recognised and the club has held the prestigious Super League Award for the Outstanding Community Programme for the last thr
ee years.
The van will be seen locally around Warrington between training camps on weekdays and on community visits the rest of the time.
Polar Ford on Winwick Road opened its ?3 million new showroom last August and has two further retail sites in Runcorn and St Helens. The company is one of the strongest and most established names in automotive retailing in the north of England and is part of the Ford Retail group, wholly owned by the Ford Motor Company.
New appeal after
motorway death
by John Hendon
POLICE have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses following a motorway smash near Warrington which led to the death of an off-duty police officer.
The crash was on the M56 near the Lymm interchange on Sunday, January 22.
Det Supt Michael Thornber, a member of Lancashire Police Force, died when his silver sports car left the carriageway and collided with a tree.
Police are particularly anxious to speak to the occupants of a red saloon car seen at the scene.
Sgt Kevin Williams, who is leading the enquiry, said: ?I am keeping an open mind about the incident, but it does seem likely the occupants of the red vehicle would have been aware of what happened.?
He said he would also like to speak to an anonymous caller who left a message about the incident and who might have further vital information.?
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 0845 458 0000.
